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Rome has no shortage of historic palazzos where visitors can explore the city’s artistic and cultural heritage. Once the grand homes of nobility, many have been turned into museums or galleries, while others that remain private residences offer guided tours. Some have even been transformed into hotels, inviting guests to immerse themselves in Rome’s storied past while experiencing its timeless allure. To meaningfully achieve this, it is imperative that they seamlessly straddle heritage and modernity—a delicate balancing act that few manage successfully. The 26-room Palazzo Talìa is one of them.
Meticulously restored under the stewardship of the Federici family, this sixteenth-century palazzo showcases an extraordinary confluence of design talent. Acclaimed film director Luca Guadagnino has lent its artistic flair to the hotel’s common areas, restaurant, and bar through his eponymous design studio, crafting spaces that merge Baroque grandeur with contemporary sophistication, while architects Marianna Lubrano Lavadera of Mia Home Design Gallery and Laura Feroldi, have infused the guestrooms and suites with a harmonious blend of bespoke craftsmanship and modern elegance. The result is a boutique hotel that doesn’t just preserve history but elevates it, transforming a centuries-old residence into a vibrant, living monument to design and culture.
Built in the 16th century, Palazzo Talìa has borne witness to a rich tapestry of narratives. Once the residence of papal secretaries and cardinals, it later served as an esteemed school whose alumni included diplomats, politicians, and iconic Italian actors Cristian de Sica and Carlo Verdone. When the school closed its doors in 1999, the building’s fate hung in the balance until the Federici family, renowned Roman industrialists with a deep passion for the arts, stepped in. What followed was an ambitious, three-year restoration launched in 2021 guided by the vision of merging heritage with contemporary aesthetics. “Palazzo Talìa is about more than luxury; it’s about storytelling,” says Elia Federici, the driving force behind the project. The name Talìa, derived from the Ancient Greek Muse of comedy and idyllic poetry, symbolizes the flourishing of art and culture—a spirit that is palpable in every corner of the hotel.